Legal Category

Last updated on emc: 08 Dec 2015

What is a Patient Information Leaflet and why is it useful?

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet.
The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.

The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD.
For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000.
The product code(s) for this leaflet are: EU/1/00/162/009, EU/1/00/162/017, EU/1/00/162/010, EU/1/00/162/016, EU/1/00/162/020, EU/1/00/162/011, EU/1/00/162/015, EU/1/00/162/019, EU/1/00/162/003, EU/1/00/162/004, EU/1/00/162/005, EU/1/00/162/021.

Prandin 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg Tablets

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Prandin® 0.5 mg tablets

Prandin® 1 mg tablets

Prandin® 2 mg tablets

Repaglinide

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Prandin® is and what it is used for2. What you need to know before you take Prandin®3. How to take Prandin®4. Possible side effects5. How to store Prandin®6. Contents of the pack and other information

Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your pancreas does not make enough insulin to control the sugar in your blood or where your body does not respond normally to the insulin it produces.

Prandin® is used to control type 2 diabetes in adults as an add-on to diet and exercise: treatment is usually started if diet, exercise and weight reduction alone have not been able to control (or lower) your blood sugar. Prandin® can also be given with metformin, another medicine for diabetes.

Prandin® has been shown to lower the blood sugar, which helps to prevent complications from your diabetes.

2. What you need to know before you take Prandin®

Do not take Prandin®

If you are allergic to repaglinide or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (listed in section 6).

If you have type 1 diabetes.

If the acid level in your blood is raised (diabetic ketoacidosis).

If you have a severe liver disease.

If you take gemfibrozil (a medicine used to lower increased fat levels in the blood).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before taking Prandin®:

If you have liver problems. Prandin® is not recommended in patients with moderate liver disease. Prandin® should not be taken if you have a severe liver disease (see Do not take Prandin®).

If you have kidney problems. Prandin® should be taken with caution.

If you are about to have major surgery or you have recently suffered a severe illness or infection. At such times diabetic control may be lost.

If you are under 18 or over 75 years of age. Prandin® is not recommended. It has not been studied in these age groups.

Talk to your doctor if any of the above applies to you. Prandin® may not be suitable for you. Your doctor will advise you.

Children and adolescents

Do not take this medicine if you are under 18 years of age.

If you get a hypo (low blood sugar)

You may get a hypo (short for hypoglycaemia) if your blood sugar gets too low. This may happen:

If you take too much Prandin®

If you exercise more than usual

If you take other medicines or suffer from liver or kidney problems (see other sections of 2. What you need to know before you take Prandin®).

If your blood sugar is low or you feel a hypo coming on: eat glucose tablets or a high sugar snack or drink, then rest.

When symptoms of hypoglycaemia have disappeared or when blood sugar levels are stabilised continue Prandin® treatment.

Tell people you have diabetes and that if you pass out (become unconscious) due to a hypo, they must turn you on your side and get medical help straight away. They must not give you any food or drink. It could choke you.

If severe hypoglycaemia is not treated, it can cause brain damage (temporary or permanent) and even death.

If you have a hypo that makes you pass out, or a lot of hypos, talk to your doctor. The amount of Prandin®, food or exercise may need to be adjusted.

If your blood sugar gets too high

Your blood sugar may get too high (hyperglycaemia). This may happen:

If you take too little Prandin®

If you have an infection or a fever

If you eat more than usual

If you exercise less than usual.

The warning signs of too high blood sugar appear gradually. They include: increased urination; feeling thirsty; dry skin and dry mouth. Talk to your doctor. The amount of Prandin®, food or exercise may need to be adjusted.

Other medicines and Prandin®

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

You can take Prandin® with metformin, another medicine for diabetes, if your doctor prescribes it.

If you take gemfibrozil (used to lower increased fat levels in the blood) you should not take Prandin®.

Your body’s response to Prandin® may change if you take other medicines, especially these:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) (used to treat depression)

Beta blockers (used to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions)

ACE-inhibitors (used to treat heart conditions)

Salicylates (e.g. aspirin)

Octreotide (used to treat cancer)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (a type of painkillers)

Steroids (anabolic steroids and corticosteroids – used for anemia or to treat inflammation)

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

Thiazides (diuretics or ‘water pills’)

Danazol (used to treat breast cysts and endometriosis)

Thyroid products (used to treat low levels of thyroid hormones)

Sympathomimetics (used to treat asthma)

Clarithromycin, trimethoprim, rifampicin (antibiotic medicines)

Itraconazole, ketokonazole (antifungal medicines)

Gemfibrozil (used to treat high blood fats)

Ciclosporin (used to suppress the immune system)

Deferasirox (used to reduce chronic iron overload)

Clopidogrel (prevents blood clots)

Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital (used to treat epilepsy)

St. John’s wort (herbal medicine).

Prandin® with alcohol

Alcohol can change the ability of Prandin® to reduce the blood sugar. Watch for signs of a hypo.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

You should not take Prandin® if you are pregnant or you are planning to become pregnant.

You should not take Prandin® if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Your ability to drive or use a machine may be affected if your blood sugar is low or high. Bear in mind that you could endanger yourself or others. Please ask your doctor whether you can drive a car if you:

Have frequent hypos

Have few or no warning signs of hypos.

3. How to take Prandin®

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.

Your doctor will work out your dose.

The normal starting dose is 0.5 mg before each main meal. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water immediately before or up to 30 minutes before each main meal.

The dose may be adjusted by your doctor by up to 4 mg to be taken immediately before or up to 30 minutes before each main meal. The maximum recommended daily dose is 16 mg.

Do not take more Prandin® than your doctor has recommended.

If you take more Prandin® than you should

If you take too many tablets, your blood sugar may become too low, leading to a hypo. Please see If you get a hypo on what a hypo is and how to treat it.

If you forget to take Prandin®

If you miss a dose, take the next dose as usual - do not double the dose.

If you stop taking Prandin®

Be aware that the desired effect is not achieved if you stop taking Prandin®. Your diabetes may get worse. If any change of your treatment is necessary contact your doctor first.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Hypoglycaemia

The most frequent side effect is hypoglycaemia which may affect up to 1 in 10 patients (see If you get a hypo in section 2). Hypoglycaemic reactions are generally mild/moderate but may occasionally develop into hypoglycaemic unconsciousness or coma. If this happens, medical assistance is needed immediately.

Allergy

Allergy is very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 patients). Symptoms such as swelling, difficulty in breathing, rapid heartbeat, feeling dizzy and sweating could be signs of anaphylactic reaction. Contact a doctor immediately.